Key-identification device



J. A. KATZ KEY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE Filed Sept. 22. 1926 Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. KATZ, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO S. FORRY LAUCKS, F YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

KEY-IDENTIFICATION DIlVICE.

Application filed September 22, 1926. Serial No. 136,994.

The invention relates to means for identifying keys by means of removable disks, and has for its object the provision of an improved means to hold the disk in position in a recess in the key, and also means for permitting the removal of the disk from the recess if it is desired to change the identification disk in the key.

The invention relates particularly to keys used for cylinder locks, and has particular reference to the customers keys used in safedeposit boxes, thus enabling the bank to change the identification indicia on a customers box if he has lost his key to prevent unauthorized opening of the box by the finder of the key. The invention also lends itself to markin the key with the name and address of t e owner of the key so that the key may be returned when lost, and also to identify articles of furniture or other objects to which the key maybe applied.

The invention will be described in detail hereinafter and will be found illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fi re 1 is a plan view of a conventional key s owing the improved identifying device ap lied thereto,

igure 2 is an enlarged detail showing the head of the key in section,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on a plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2, I

Figure 4 is a detail plan view of the identification disk,

Figure 5 a detail of the resilient ring for holding the disk in position in the recess of the key, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale on a plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Fi re 1.

n the drawings similar reference characterswill be used to designate correspondin parts throughout the several views.

e 'key selected for illustration of the improved identifying device is of the flat t e, and designated 10, and has a head 11 t at may be of the trefoil contour as disclosed, .or of any other contour that may be selected. An opening 12 is provided in the head 11 for the reception of the key ring, this structure being common in keys of this type. The head 11 is also provided with a recess 13, the walls of the opening 12 and recess 13 intersecting as shown to form an opening 14 for the purpose to be hereinafter described. The wall of recess 13 is also proylded with a circumferential groove 15. 16 indicates the identification device which is as shown in the drawings a disk, circular in shape, but it will be apparent that the shape of the recess 13 and the disk 16 may be other than circular if desired by the manufacturer. pisklti is designed to carry identification mdicla such as illustrated in the drawings or any other means for identifying the key w1th the owner or for the purpose for which it is intended. This disk 16 is provided with a reduced circumferential flange 17, and 18 1s a lug or projection or tab extending outwardly from the edge of the flange 17 and designed to fit in the opening 14 and extend into the opening 12 as clearly shown in the drawings, thus properly positioning the identification disk 16 in the recess 13, and at the same time providing means for removing the disk from the recess after the holding means to be hereinafter described has been removed. The holding means comprises a resilient split ring 19 that engages the flange 17 and seats in the groove 15 in the wall of the recess 13.

After the device is assembled as shown in the drawings it will be apparent that the disk 16 may be removed from the recess 13 by removing the split ring 19 from en agement with the groove 15 by means 0 any sharp implement such as a pin. the pin to be engaged with the ring 19 at the opening 14 or when the grooves of the key extend so that they intersect the wall of the recess 13, it will be apparent that removal of the ring may be effected by engaging the ring at the point where the grooves in the key intersect the recess. When the rin 19 has been removed then the disk may %e raised from its seat by engaging the lug 18 with a pointed implement, or the disk will drop from the recess if the key is inverted, the principal function of the lug 18 in its relationship with the opening 14 being to properly position the disk in the recess 13 when the disk is of the shape shown in the drawings, that is circular.

What is claimed is:

1. A key identifying device, comprising a key having a head with an opening therethrough and a recess, the wall of said recess intersecting the wall of the opening and provided with a continuous oove, a disk carrying identification indicla adapted to seat 110 in said recess, av flange extending around the disk, a lug extending outwardly of said flange to extend into said opening, and resilient means adapted to engage the flange and in said groove to hold the disk from (lisplacement from the recess.

2. A key identifying device, comprising a key having a head with an opening therethrongh and a circular recess, the Wall of said recess intersecting the Wall of the opening and provided with a circumferential tending, outwardly of said flange to extend 15 into said opening, and a split ring of resilient material adapted to engage the flange and in said groove to hold the disk from displacement from the recess.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN A. KA 'IZ. 

